danny21manc
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Newcastle manager Alan Shearer says he is "totally convinced" that his side will avoid relegation.
The Magpies, who travel to Aston Villa for their final game on Sunday, are a point adrift of safety and are relying on other results to go their way.
"I am totally convinced we will get out of it, yes, and more importantly, so are my players," said Shearer.
"We know what's at stake. I'm confident we can go there and give our great fans something to shout about, I really am."
Newcastle must better Hull's result at home against champions Manchester United to avoid being relegated to the second tier of English football.
The Magpies, who were last relegated from the top flight in 1989, have endured a tumultuous season with Kevin Keegan, Joe Kinnear, Chris Hughton and Shearer all in charge of first-team affairs at various points.
Kinnear was brought in as manager in the wake of Keegan's abrupt departure, but had to undergo heart surgery in in February. Hughton took the reins in the short-term before Shearer arrived for the final eight games of the season.
606: DEBATE
I had a premonition last night - and it wasn't good
The Meatball©3
Owner Mike Ashley came in for huge criticism from supporters in the wake of Keegan's departure in September and put the club up for sale, before changing his mind in December, while there have been several changes at boardroom level - including the exit of Dennis Wise.
But with the club's Premier League survival resting on 90 minutes against Villa (and favourable results elsewhere), Shearer says the size of the match is as big as any he has ever been involved in.
"It's bigger than a cup final, a hell of a lot bigger than a cup final," added Shearer, who has taken five points from a possible 21 since taking the role at the start of April.
"The question has been asked on four or five occasions over the last four or five games, 'is this the biggest game of your career?', and I keep answering, 'yes, because it's the next one'.
"We have asked the players to forget about what happened when we lost [1-0 at home] to Fulham last weekend, because it's gone, we can't change it.
"What we can change is this weekend and I believe if we go there and win, it will be a very very good day for us."
West Brom are already down, but two from Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Hull and Sunderland will join them in the Championship next season.
Boro must win beat West Ham away to stand any chance of survival, while Sunderland, who are two points above Newcastle, face Chelsea at home.
GUESS SUNDAY'S RESULTS WITH BBC SPORT'S PREDICTOR
The Magpies, who travel to Aston Villa for their final game on Sunday, are a point adrift of safety and are relying on other results to go their way.
"I am totally convinced we will get out of it, yes, and more importantly, so are my players," said Shearer.
"We know what's at stake. I'm confident we can go there and give our great fans something to shout about, I really am."
Newcastle must better Hull's result at home against champions Manchester United to avoid being relegated to the second tier of English football.
The Magpies, who were last relegated from the top flight in 1989, have endured a tumultuous season with Kevin Keegan, Joe Kinnear, Chris Hughton and Shearer all in charge of first-team affairs at various points.
Kinnear was brought in as manager in the wake of Keegan's abrupt departure, but had to undergo heart surgery in in February. Hughton took the reins in the short-term before Shearer arrived for the final eight games of the season.
606: DEBATE
I had a premonition last night - and it wasn't good
The Meatball©3
Owner Mike Ashley came in for huge criticism from supporters in the wake of Keegan's departure in September and put the club up for sale, before changing his mind in December, while there have been several changes at boardroom level - including the exit of Dennis Wise.
But with the club's Premier League survival resting on 90 minutes against Villa (and favourable results elsewhere), Shearer says the size of the match is as big as any he has ever been involved in.
"It's bigger than a cup final, a hell of a lot bigger than a cup final," added Shearer, who has taken five points from a possible 21 since taking the role at the start of April.
"The question has been asked on four or five occasions over the last four or five games, 'is this the biggest game of your career?', and I keep answering, 'yes, because it's the next one'.
"We have asked the players to forget about what happened when we lost [1-0 at home] to Fulham last weekend, because it's gone, we can't change it.
"What we can change is this weekend and I believe if we go there and win, it will be a very very good day for us."
West Brom are already down, but two from Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Hull and Sunderland will join them in the Championship next season.
Boro must win beat West Ham away to stand any chance of survival, while Sunderland, who are two points above Newcastle, face Chelsea at home.
GUESS SUNDAY'S RESULTS WITH BBC SPORT'S PREDICTOR